Schmelke cues today are still a lot of playing cue for the money - just get your desired cue weight, shaft taper, and tip and that cue will play just fine for anyone for less than $200 shipped. I like the bacote wood choice on those Schmelke.
As for those 70s Adams cues - I have a mint AH 7 and it is a very, very solid hitting cue - the original one with the brass screw and brass joint collar against a piloted wood shaft I feel hit best!
The hit one those is firm like a Scruggs and I feel play a lot like a Scruggs or Frye cue.
If you want an SP old school without spending a grand on a Scruggs SP get the Schmelke or even , as I did recently, scour eBay until you find an older 70s / early 80s Valley straight one piece ( you find them sometimes at about $50) and have Proficient or Mueller’s cut it, add your joint screw and use your favorite shaft on it - does not get any better at the price point!
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